Wilted Read Free Page A

nothing more wonderful than screaming that out tonight. Happy Birthday to me!
    “Wait, Kylie! You can’t leave. We haven’t finished celebrating your birthday, remember? We can go somewhere else if you want.” My friend’s gorgeous eyes fill with panic and she looks to me in desperation. I don’t know what the hell is going on here, but someone better start explaining fast.
    Before I can answer her, the God beside me speaks again.
    “It’s your birthday?” he purrs seductively. Goddamn, this guy has charisma seeping out of his pores. I’m drowning in it, as a matter of fact. He’s rendered me into a blubbering idiot.
    Embarrassed, I nod back at him and feel my face heat. Am I blushing? I haven’t done that since I was in junior high.
    “Well, we can’t go home just yet then. Come on back in and I’ll buy you a drink.” He holds his hand out to me.
    I glance over in Skylar’s direction and find her begging me with her eyes. At this moment, I have a difficult choice to make. When I look back into his dangerous, dark eyes, I know she’s not going to like my decision. On any other day, I’d choose my friend over a man. But I know this Sebastian guy isn’t going to hurt her. She needs to loosen up anyways. Maybe a little time with him is just what she needs to do that.
    Batting my eyes back at Nikolas, I take his extended hand into mine. Electricity passes between us again but only makes me want to hold on tighter to him. Skylar gives me a murderous glare and I know she’ll make me pay for this later. Fuck later. I want right now. Let her be pissed at me. I’m used to it anyways. I give her an apologetic shrug and wave goodbye to her as Nikolas pulls me to his side.
    I can hear them arguing behind us as we walk towards the club’s entrance. I pull away and stop to look over my shoulder at them.
    “Maybe I should go back. She’s really upset.”
    “Don’t worry, they’re fine. Trust me. He’d never hurt her.”
    “I’m afraid he’s already done that. It’s one of the reasons I brought her here tonight.”
    “Obviously, they have some things they need to work through. I think it’s probably best they do that alone, don’t you? It’s Kylie, right?” God, the way he says my name makes my core clench with need.
    “Yes, Kylie Reynolds… and you are Nikolas, right?”
    “No, I prefer my friends to call me Nik. Sebastian’s my cousin, so he calls me both.”
    “So, you want to be friends, huh?” I tease. I can’t help it. Now that my voice has returned, I flirt hard back at him. It’s funny, but all the nervousness has gone now. I’m completely at ease with this man. How?
    “Yeah, I definitely want to be friends,” he says seductively.
    The way his eyes drag down my body makes me feel like I’m going to combust into flames. He has no idea how bad I want to fuck him. If he wanted to take me over there against the dumpster, I’d be willing.
    Lightning illuminates the darkness above us, drawing our attention to the sky.
    “Well, Ms. Kylie Reynolds, how about we get inside before this storm drenches us?” he says as the crackle of thunder echoes in the air. I smile and nod my head in agreement. Before I can even blink, he laces his long fingers between mine. And as he gently squeezes my hand, a part of me comes to life. A part I didn’t know existed.

    “So, what’s your pleasure?”
    His words take me back. My pleasure? That’s easy! It would be riding him all night.
    “Um… I’m not sure we know each other well enough for that yet.”
    “Drink, Kylie. I meant what’s your favorite drink?”
    “Oh, um… right. Anything is fine. I’m not picky.” I’m so damn embarrassed right now that I want to bury myself somewhere and die.
    Of course, he meant drink, you idiot!
    “ Hey.” His voice softens as he lifts my chin up with his finger. One glance into his dark eyes and I’m gone. Lost.
    “Don’t be embarrassed. I think it’s kind of cute actually.”
    When he lets go of my